Wednesday, August 3, 2005

At first I thought maybe this is how they do things in Italy. Three out of three friends told me that they'll take me to a bank and introduce me. I figured they would escort me to the bank, introduce me to their banker, and then the banker would help me open an account offering me plenty of benefits.

Monday, August 1, 2005

And so, today August 1st marks the beginning of Summer here in Italy. Most of my Italian friends sent me emails on Friday wishing me buone vacanze (a good vacation). So many people seem to be taking part or all of the month off. And I've already noticed how much quieter the city is.

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Last night, we ate dinner on a terrace of a restaurant near Piazza della Repubblica. As we sat there, I noticed two police officers drive up and get out of their car. Then, I noticed two young guys spray painting an edicola (news kiosk).

Saturday, July 30, 2005

As we walked down the Via di San Giuseppe next to the Santa Croce church, we could hear music blaring. It is quite common to hear people playing in the piazza. There are summer concerts in many of the piazze in Florence on the weekends.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Well, for the second day in a row it's been in the high nineties and probably reached 100 degrees. The lows are a in the high sixties, low seventies. Just a week ago, it was cool and rained off and on for two days in a row. Everyone talks about the heat. How can you not mention it? It's all around you.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Today my husband and I took his parents, sister, and our nephew on a tour of Tuscany. We started at San Gimigniano, then to Volterra, and finally to Monteriggioni. We hired a driver, Massimiliano, to take us around in a van. I got spoiled when we did this with my brother just last week to go to the outlet malls. I didn't want to rent a car and drive five other people around a place I've only been driven to myself. Besides, that's no way to enjoy the countryside.

Monday, July 25, 2005

What I find interesting in Italy is the number of different expressions people use each day. You'd think after living here for awhile, I wouldn't hear that many new expressions. And yet almost each day, I hear something new or at least something I haven't heard before.

Friday, July 22, 2005

The question everyone has on their mind: dove vai in ferie? (where are you going on vacation?) The Florentines are getting ready to go (if they haven't already gone) on vacation. Many of the shops and restaurants have signs stating when they'll be closed.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

I brought my brother, sister-in-law, and their children to the Mercato di San Lorenzo today at about 11AM. I never come to this area because in my mind it's always crowded. I know that the indoor mercato is larger than the one I go to at Sant'Ambrogio, but San Lorenzo is too far for me to go for my shopping excursions.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Today was my first trip to the outlet malls outside of Florence. My brother and his wife are visiting from California and asked me to arrange a trip out there. I searched on the Internet, asked my friends, and in the end we paid a driver to pick us up and take us there. It was 170 Euros for all 6 of us and we could spend however much time we wanted.

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Tonight Dave and I took my brother, his wife and three kids to my friend (and landlord) Simone's restaurant, Il Canapone. It is my favorite restaurant in Florence because of its diverse menu of Italian fusion cooking. It's a nice variation from the typical Tuscan cooking in most restaurants here in Florence.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Where there is shade, there are people. Here the sun seems to pierce your clothes and scald your skin. When the sun is out, everyone heads for the shade. Some people wear hats (portable shade) and others walk farther distances just to be in the shade given off by the buildings.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

I thought I was nervous when the woman took my blood for the tests, but I was even more nervous when the alarm on my computer told me it was time to go back to pick up my results. Each step felt like my last. What are they going to say? Is anything wrong with me? What could be wrong with me?

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

I'm still not completely clear about the medical system here in Italy. I know that I can go to see my doctor any day of the week during her "open" times for free. I know that she gives me prescriptions and I get them filled and pay either nothing or next to nothing.

Monday, July 11, 2005

A year ago I was cooking because I had to. Dave and I would drag ourselves to the grocery store and plan our week's meals while we were pushing the cart around. Nowadays I walk to the outdoor market with money in my pockets (it's too difficult to hold my purse and all the bags) and figure out the next few meals as I see what's available.

About this blog

This blog is about my life in Florence where I have lived since 2004. In this blog, I share how my beloved city inspires and influences me every day.

About Melinda

Ciao! I'm truly honored to call Florence my home. Living in Florence is much more than falling to sleep and waking up in her embrace, it's about living from my heart and instilling love into everything I do. A presto, Melinda.